US10322056B2 - Collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus - Google Patents
Collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- US10322056B2 US10322056B2 US16/114,821 US201816114821A US10322056B2 US 10322056 B2 US10322056 B2 US 10322056B2 US 201816114821 A US201816114821 A US 201816114821A US 10322056 B2 US10322056 B2 US 10322056B2
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
- A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
- A61H2003/006—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about with forearm rests, i.e. for non-used arms
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H3/00—Appliances for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about
- A61H3/04—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons
- A61H2003/046—Wheeled walking aids for patients or disabled persons with braking means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/01—Constructive details
- A61H2201/0161—Size reducing arrangements when not in use, for stowing or transport
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/01—Constructive details
- A61H2201/0165—Damping, vibration related features
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/01—Constructive details
- A61H2201/0192—Specific means for adjusting dimensions
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
- A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
- A61H2201/16—Physical interface with patient
- A61H2201/1602—Physical interface with patient kind of interface, e.g. head rest, knee support or lumbar support
- A61H2201/1635—Hand or arm, e.g. handle
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to assistive mobility devices and more particularly to a collapsible upright wheeled weight-bearing walker.
- Assistive mobility devices including walkers, are well-known in the art as useful means for reducing the disadvantages of mobility impairment suffered for many different reasons by many people, permitting more efficient ambulation over distance and thereby increased independence.
- Data from the National Long Term Care Survey suggests that increased use of assistive technology may have helped reduce disability at older ages [Manton, et al., “Changes in the Use of Personal Assistance and Special Equipment from 1982 to 1989: Results from the 1982 and 1989 NLTCS,” Gerontologist 33(2):168-76 (April 1993)].
- mobility device users represent a relatively small minority of the population with disabilities, their importance transcends their numbers because mobility devices are visible signs of disability and have become symbols of the very idea of disability.
- Martins et al. [Martins et al., Assistive Mobility Devices focusing on Smart Walkers: Classification and Review, Robotics and Autonomous Systems 60 (4), April 2012, pp. 548-562] classifies mobility assistance devices into the alternative devices intended for those with total loss of independent mobility (wheelchairs or autonomous powered vehicles) and assistive or augmentative devices for those with residual mobility capacity (prostheses, crutches, canes and walkers). For several reasons, most impaired individuals prefer to avoid association with the alternative devices associated with total incapacity. Similarly, the rehabilitation profession strongly prefers the assistive devices, which can be used for physical therapy and as mobility-training devices. Accordingly, there has long been a growing demand for improved assistive devices adapted for use by the less disabled among those who otherwise cannot move independently with existing assistive devices and rely on alternative devices such as wheelchairs and powered scooters.
- Mobility and manipulation are critical to living independently and are often strongly associated with the ability to continue to live safely in one's home.
- Simple assistive devices such as crutches, canes, walkers, and rollators (rolling walkers) can assist a person who has the endurance and strength to walk distances, but these devices must also provide some support or feedback to keep the person from losing their balance or enable the person to rest, when necessary.
- an impaired individual may eventually need an alternative device like a wheelchair or powered scooter, most strongly desire to retain the independence of the simpler assistive device for as long as possible. For this reason, there is a well-known and long-felt need for assistive device improvements that facilitate independent ambulation for the progressively more impaired individuals.
- the typical wheeled walker known in the art has many well-known disadvantages; such as requiring a stooping or a forward leaning posture to avoid a hobbled gait, difficulty in smooth transition over irregular terrain, little or no upper body and arm support, and requiring significant hand and arm strength to maneuver and to operate any available hand brake, for example.
- a stooping posture stresses the user's back and arms and risks tipping forward when encountering terrain obstacles.
- most devices known in the art have no wheels or wheels too small to negotiate even small surface irregularities safely. Some devices are too heavy and awkward for an unassisted user to lift into a car trunk or van, which limits independent unassisted use. Walker brakes are often either nonexistent or ineffective for the unassisted impaired user, which adds risk of falls and injury and limits independence.
- the typical wheeled walker known in the art is neither designed nor intended to support significant user weight during use.
- the accepted purpose of a wheeled walker is simply to provide assistance in balance and gait, like an elaborate cane system. So the user engages the walker with hands and wrists alone, often with a stooping or leaning posture.
- the impaired user generally lacks the hand and wrist strength needed to continuously support significant upper body weight while walking in a stooped or forward-leaning position.
- Some wheeled walkers eliminate the seat to afford a more open walking footprint for the user. While this permits an improved and more natural walking position but offers no improved weight bearing capability and many users need an included seat to facilitate independent use over longer distances.
- the mobility assistance art is replete with suggestions for improving wheeled walkers.
- Serhan et al. disclose a safety brake in a rollator that improves the safety of seated users by using a braking system that locks the rollator wheels when the user sits down on the rollator seat, and releases the wheels when the user stands up.
- Serhan discloses a wheeled walker with cross-member supports adapted to permit both seat and basket with wheel sizes greater than seven to eight inches.
- Diamond discloses a locking assembly for use with a walker having foldable side members.
- Schaaper et al. disclose a wheelchair having a moveable seat element facilitating use as a rollator.
- Slomp discloses a posterior walker configured to encourage a neutral spine during use.
- Li et al. discloses a rollator having a foldable seat element.
- Such an upright wheeled walker may permit the user to walk upright but the wheeled walker known in the art is not adapted to support any user body weight beyond the relatively small portion in the forearms and hands.
- Simpson discloses a walker with a forearm support frame to permit an upright user to step forward with the walker footprint but little weight bearing capacity.
- Slomp discloses a foldable posterior walker with an anteriorly open frame that permits an upright user to step forward within the walker footprint but having little or no weight bearing capability.
- Improving a the wheeled walker by adding an upper-body support is advantageous because it facilitates an upright walking and standing posture, improved gait and comfort.
- adding significant user body weight to the wheeled walker is also disadvantageous for stability.
- the increased weight borne on each wheel affects walker stability, braking, and terrain handling.
- adding significant upright weight support to the wheeled walker introduces new disadvantages of increased lateral and longitudinal instability, risking falls and affecting user safety.
- Adding more weight support at a higher point on the walker increases the tipping torque at the wheels because of the increased force and distance.
- Any wheeled walker has longitudinal stability problems when rolling on slopes and over irregular terrain, which may imperil user safety by causing falls during use. This longitudinal instability problem is exacerbated by the fluctuating wheel loads imposed by the applied user weight during stepping, introducing a new lateral instability.
- Alghazi discloses a mobility apparatus with an integrated power source and four wheels so a user can stand on it and drive it as an electric mobility device, or disable it and use it as a passive walker. His device is collapsible and includes a pair of supporting beams disposed to support the user under the armpits, but such support does little to improve user posture or stability while walking with the passive device.
- Kitahama discloses an autonomous mobile apparatus that moves autonomously along near a specified person (user) while detecting and evaluating the surroundings to assess the danger level to the user, moving as necessary to avoid danger to the user based on the danger level detected.
- This invention solves the well-known walking posture, instability and portability problems described above in a single apparatus by integrating for the first time folding improvements that stabilize the walker frame during use, adjustable forearm rests (for upper body support), an open rigidized frame permitting the user to stand and step within a polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels, and adjustable handles elevated to permit the upright walking posture necessary for better health.
- adjustable forearm rests for upper body support
- adjustable handles elevated to permit the upright walking posture necessary for better health.
- the upper arm support elements are each disposed at an ergonometric angle to facilitate a completely upright walking position with substantial upper body and arm support while walking within the polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels.
- the apparatus of this invention is a collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus for augmenting an upright partially-supported walking gait on a walking surface for an unassisted user having one or more hands and forearms, comprising: a frame having two frame sides each having a top and a bottom and each frame side being disposed between a front frame portion and a rear frame portion, a plurality of wheel assemblies coupled to the frame for supporting the frame above the walking surface and disposed at the vertices of a polygonal footprint on the walking surface within which the user walks during use; an X-folder apparatus including an anterior element having two ends and a posterior element having two ends, wherein the anterior element is rotatably coupled to the posterior element, a first anterior element end is coupled to a first frame side and the second anterior element end is rotatably coupled to an anterior arm having a distal end that is coupled to the second frame side such that rotation of the anterior element in one direction with respect to the anterior arm is limited to an anterior over-center angle,
- FIG. 1 is an oblique upper left front view of an exemplary embodiment of the upright wheeled walker of this invention
- FIG. 2 is a front view of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the plan views of the polygonal footprint defined by the front and rear wheels and the upper support elements of this invention;
- FIG. 4 is a right side view of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a close-up oblique view of the left front wheel assembly element of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a front view of both the open and collapsed dispositions of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the operation of the X-Folder and bridge elements of this invention
- FIG. 7 is a close-up oblique upper right rear view of the forearm gutter and upper handle elements of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 8A-C are diagrams illustrating the preferred orientation of the forearm gutter and upper handle elements of this invention.
- FIGS. 9A-D are detail views illustrating the several frame rigidizing X-folder and bridge elements of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 10 is an oblique view of a user standing in a partially supported position within the polygonal footprint of the upright wheeled walker embodiment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 shows a collapsible upright wheeled walker apparatus 100 with a frame 102 supported above a walking surface 104 on four wheel assemblies 106 A-D, including wheel assemblies 106 A-B under a front frame portion and wheel assemblies 106 C-D under a rear frame portion.
- Frame 102 includes the two frame sides 108 A-B, each having three connected frame side support elements, including the respective elements 110 A-B at the frame side bottoms and the respective element pairs each coupled to a respective upper support channel 112 A-B at the top of the respective frame sides 108 A-B.
- Wheel assemblies 106 A-D each includes a respective wheel 114 A-D and a respective wheel suspension assembly 116 A-D that is fixed to frame 102 at the vertices of a polygonal footprint 118 on walking surface 104 and are described in connection with FIG. 5 below.
- Each of the two upper supports 120 A-B is inserted into and slidably engaged with a respective upper support channel 112 A-B.
- Each of two locking pins 122 A-B are engaged in a respective upper support channel 112 A-B and operate to lock the respective slidably engaged upper support 120 A-B at a selectable elevation above walking surface 104 for a particular user height
- Each upper support 120 A-B includes a respective forearm gutter 124 A-B and a respective upper handle 126 A-B, which are described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8A -C below.
- FIG. 1 also shows the X-folder apparatus 127 , which includes an anterior element 128 rotatably-coupled to a posterior element 130 and the anterior arm 132 and the posterior arm 134 .
- the foldable frame bridge 136 is shown coupled between frame sides 108 A-B at an exemplary elevation above walking surface 104 and the foldable support bridge 138 is shown coupled between upper supports 120 A-B.
- X-Folder apparatus 127 foldable frame bridge 136 and foldable support bridge 138 are all useful for collapsing upright wheeled walker 100 for convenient storage and transportation ( FIG. 6 ) and are all described in connection with FIGS. 9A-D below.
- a user 300 stands and steps within footprint 118 on walking surface 104 between frame sides 108 A-B and grasps a respective upper handle 126 A-B with each hand 302 A-B while resting each forearm 304 A-B in a respective armrest gutter 124 A-B, thereby resting at least some upper-body weight on walker apparatus 100 while standing on walking surface 104 .
- User 300 may then walk forward in the direction shown by the arrow 140 as walker apparatus 100 rolls over surface 104 while supporting at least some weight with armrest gutters 124 A-B, reducing user leg effort and improving user stability and thereby augmenting the user's ability to step along surface 104 without the assistance of another person.
- Each of the lower handles 142 A-B is disposed on a respective frame side 108 A-B to permit user 300 to grasp lower handles 142 A-B and move forward, using walker apparatus 100 only for stability without forearm support in the customary manner when desired.
- the apparatus of this invention may also be embodied with three wheels, by using a single front wheel assembly, or with five wheels, by adding a central front wheel assembly, for example, without affecting the other advantages and features described herein.
- FIG. 2 shows a front view of walker apparatus 100 to better illustrate several components of the apparatus of this invention.
- Like numerals represent like features to those discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 2 better shows the frame bridge offset hinge 144 in foldable frame bridge 136 , the support bridge offset hinge 146 in foldable support bridge 138 , and the X-folder hinge 148 in X-folder apparatus 127 that rotatably couples anterior element 128 to posterior element 130 .
- a first end of anterior element 128 is coupled to frame side 108 A by the hinge 150 and the opposite end of anterior element 128 is rotatably coupled to anterior arm 132 at the anterior bias hinge 152 .
- anterior arm 132 is rotatably coupled to frame side 108 B by the two hinges 154 and 155 (see FIG. 3 ) so the distance between hinges 150 and 154 - 155 can be adjusted over a small range by means of the anterior stop screw 156 , which may be better appreciated with reference to the discussion of FIGS. 9A-D below.
- a first end of posterior element 130 is coupled to frame side 108 B by the hinge 160 and the opposite end of posterior element 130 is rotatably coupled to posterior arm 134 at the posterior bias hinge 162 .
- the distal end of posterior arm 134 is rotatably coupled to frame side 108 A by the two hinges 164 and 165 (see FIG.
- FIG. 2 also shows the upper handle centerlines 170 A-B for upper handles 126 A-B respectively, disposition of which may be better appreciated with reference to the description of FIGS. 7 and 8A -C below.
- FIG. 2 shows the two support bridge ends 172 A-B each rotatably coupled to a respective upper support 120 A-B and the two frame bridge ends 174 A-B each rotatably coupled to a respective upper support 120 A-B.
- FIG. 3 shows a top view of walker apparatus 100 to better illustrate several components of the apparatus of this invention.
- Like numerals represent like features to those discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-2 .
- FIG. 3 shows the forearm gutter centerlines 176 A-B for forearm gutters 124 A-B respectively, the preferred disposition of which may be better appreciated with reference to the description of FIGS. 7 and 8A -C below.
- FIG. 3 better illustrates the coupling of anterior arm 132 to frame side 108 B and the coupling and disposition of posterior arm 134 to frame side 108 A, for example.
- FIG. 4 shows a right side view of walker apparatus 100 to better illustrate several components of the apparatus of this invention. Like numerals represent like features to those discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1-3 .
- FIG. 4 better illustrates the exemplary embodiment of posterior arm 134 and the adjustable engagement of upper support 120 A to upper support channel 112 A at the top of frame side 108 A, for example.
- FIG. 5 shows wheel assembly 106 B in more detail.
- a wheel fork assembly 178 is rotatably coupled to wheel 114 B at an axle 180 and to wheel suspension assembly 116 B at a hinge 182 thereby permitting displacement of frame element 110 B with respect to surface 104 responsive to any rotation of wheel fork assembly 178 about hinge 182 .
- Rotation of wheel fork assembly 134 about hinge 182 changes the elevation of frame element 110 B above axle 180 .
- a shock absorber assembly 184 is coupled between frame element 110 B and wheel fork 178 to moderate the transmission of wheel motion to the frame during use.
- Shock absorber assembly 184 includes a shock absorber (not shown) preloaded to a predetermined load limit and described in the commonly-assigned U.S.
- FIG. 6 illustrates the front view of FIG. 2 of walker apparatus 100 in the open configuration (dotted lines) overlaid with the same walker apparatus 100 in a collapsed configuration (solid lines) useful for transportation and storage.
- Walker apparatus 100 may be folded from the open configuration to the collapsed configuration by (a) rotating both upper handles 126 A-B into the downward position shown, (b) releasing the locking pins 122 A-B ( FIGS.
- walker apparatus 100 may be returned to the open configuration for use by reversing these steps while forcing frame sides 108 A-B apart and locking frame bridge offset hinge 144 and support bridge offset hinge 146 before returning upper supports 120 A-B to their desired elevation and fixing them with locking pins 122 A-B before returning upper handles 126 A-B to their upright position shown in FIG. 2 .
- anterior element 128 rotates about X-folder hinge 148 with respect to posterior element 130 and rotation of each respective component also occurs at each of the six hinges 150 , 154 - 155 , 160 and 164 - 165 as may be appreciated from FIG. 6 .
- anterior arm 132 rotates about anterior bias hinge 152 at the distal end of anterior element 128 and posterior arm 134 rotates about posterior bias hinge 162 at distal end of posterior element 128 .
- anterior and posterior bias hinges 152 and 162 are described below in connection with FIGS. 9A-D .
- FIG. 7 provides a closer oblique view of the upper support structure of walker apparatus 100 to better illustrate the relative disposition and orientation of forearm gutters 124 A-B and upper handles 126 A-B, which features are now described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8A-C .
- FIGS. 8A-C are diagrams illustrating the preferred disposition and orientation of forearm gutters 124 A-B and upper handles 126 A-B.
- FIG. 8A illustrates the top view of FIG. 3 with upper supports 120 A-B and support bridge 138 isolated for clarity.
- the inventors have found that forearm gutter centerlines 176 A-B are preferably aligned as shown, with the two angles 204 A-B fixed at about 14 degrees and being substantially equal, which provides the optimal ergonomic support for the widest range of user sizes when fixing the gutter spacing 205 to about 18.5 ⁇ 1 inches between the geometric midpoints 206 A-B of forearm gutters 124 A-B.
- Angles 204 A-B may be varied over a range of [0-18] degrees, but many orientations within that range would require changes to gutter spacing 205 to facilitate use by many users, who would find the reoriented forearm gutters 124 A-B either too closely spaced or too widely spaced for feasible use.
- the inventors have discovered that a 14 degree setting for angles 204 A-B is comfortable for the most users because it provides a “self-compensating” support system. This self-compensating feature may be appreciated by considering that a shorter user with shorter forearms must move her arms forward to grip upper handles 126 A-B.
- FIG. 8B is an isolated right-side view better illustrating the disposition and orientation of armrest gutter 124 A and upper handle 126 A with respect to walking surface 104 ( FIGS. 1 and 10 ).
- the relative dispositions of armrest gutter 124 B and upper handle 126 B with respect to walking surface 104 are substantially the same as shown in FIG. 8B .
- the horizontal line 208 A and the vertical line 210 A are respectively parallel and perpendicular to walking surface 104 .
- the inventors have discovered through testing that fixing the angle 212 A between horizontal line 208 A and the gutter axis 214 A to a value within the range [10, 20] degrees in an upward direction from rear to front as shown is preferred.
- the optimal ergonomic benefits are gained with angle 212 A fixed at about 14 degrees, which satisfies most people under most conditions.
- the forward handle angle 216 A between the gutter axis perpendicular 217 A and handle centerline 170 A is preferably fixed somewhere in the range of [10, 40] degrees (preferably at about 30 degrees) forward of gutter axis perpendicular 217 A or equivalently at about 120 degrees (30+90) forward from the plane defined by gutter axis 214 A and about 16 degrees (30-14) forward of true vertical. As seen below in connection with FIG.
- each forward handle angle 216 A-B ( 216 B not shown) is fixed with respect to the plane defined by a respective gutter axis 214 A-B ( 214 B not shown) but each handle 126 A-B ( 126 B not shown) may be rotated about an axis co parallel with a respective forearm gutter centerline 176 A-B.
- the disposition and orientation of forearm gutter 124 B and upper handle 126 B may be appreciated by analogy when referring to this discussion of FIG. 8B .
- FIG. 8C is an isolated upper front oblique view better illustrating the disposition and orientation of armrest gutters 124 A-B and upper handles 126 A-B.
- FIG. 8C is a view of a plane disposed perpendicularly to the plane defined by armrest gutter axes 176 A-B ( FIG. 8A ) and axes 214 A-B ( FIG. 8B ). This may be appreciated by recognizing that the viewpoint of FIG. 8C is elevated above the true horizontal viewpoint of FIG. 2 by an angle equal to angle 212 A ( FIG. 8B ). Both the vertical line 210 B and vertical line 210 A are perpendicular to walking surface 104 ( FIGS. 1 and 10 ).
- the transverse handle angles 218 A-B may be varied independently and locked in any of several orientations between vertical (zero degrees) and horizontal (90 degrees) by releasing upper handle latches 186 A-B ( FIG. 8A ) and reorienting respective upper handles 126 A-B.
- the inventors have found that most users preferred fixing transverse handle angles 218 A-B at some value in a range of [0, 45] degrees with more preferring the larger value.
- FIG. 9A illustrates the various frame-rigidizing folder elements of the apparatus of this invention.
- FIG. 2 shows anterior and posterior stop screws 156 and 166 in a larger context.
- frame sides 108 A-B are substantially parallel to one another, which permits upper supports 120 A-B to rise or fall through their entire adjustment range without binding with the respective upper support channels 112 A-B.
- frame bridge offset hinge 144 is latched, frame bridge 136 is under longitudinal compression and urges frame sides 108 A-B apart at hinges 174 A-B by applying an upper spreading force represented by the arrows 188 A-B to hinges 174 A-B respectively.
- Upper spreading force 188 A-B induces a lower spreading force represented by the arrows 190 A-B at hinges 150 and 160 respectively.
- Upper and lower spreading forces 188 A-B and 190 A-B induce a counterclockwise torque in frame side 108 A, represented by the arrow 192 A and an opposing clockwise torque in frame side 108 B, represented by the arrow 192 , urging frame sides 108 A-B (respectively) about hinges 150 and 160 and against hinges 164 - 165 and hinges 154 - 155 with a closing force represented by the arrows 194 A-B.
- FIG. 9B is a top view that illustrates from above the upper spreading force at arrows 188 A-B from frame bridge 136 and the resulting lower spreading force at the arrows 190 A-B.
- frame bridge 136 is disposed behind X-folder apparatus 127 and posterior arm 134 is coupled at hinges 164 and 165 .
- closing force 194 A ( FIG. 9A ) is split into a rear closing force represented by the arrow 196 A and a front closing force represented by the arrow 198 A.
- closing force 194 B FIG. 9A
- front closing forces 198 A-B exceed rear closing forces 196 A-B because of the disposition of the upper spreading force at arrows 188 A-B.
- the upper spreading force at arrows 188 A-B across the latched frame bridge 136 eliminates all play or slack at hinges 150 , 160 , 154 - 155 and 164 - 165 and urges frame sides 108 A-B into torsion (torques 192 A-B in FIG. 9A ).
- torques 192 A-B are each adjustable by means of the anterior and posterior tension adjusters, respectively, shown here embodied as adjustable stop screws 156 and 166 .
- frame bridge 136 while nominally in compression, may be urged into tension by additional spreading forces transferred from the user weight supported by upper supports 120 A-B but, in this embodiment, such loading has little effect on frame stability because posterior and anterior arms 132 and 134 are both locked over center by upper spreading forces 188 A-B at frame bridge 136 .
- Support bridge 138 has a stiffening effect similar to that discussed above for frame bridge 136 , which stabilizes upper supports 120 A-B with respect to one another by linking them together and taking up any play between the interior surfaces of upper support channels 112 A-B and the respective upper support 120 A-B.
- FIG. 9C provides a cross-sectional view of offset hinge 144 ( FIG. 9B ) showing the U-shaped member.
- Both frame bridge 136 and support bridge 138 are foldable at a respective offset hinge 144 and 146 that locks over center in compression, both functioning in the same manner.
- U-shaped member 200 functions to limit travel and thereby reduce loading of the bridge hinge latch 202 .
- FIG. 9D provides an X-ray view of the detailed orientation and disposition of the several elements of X-folder apparatus 127 illustrating the function of the tension adjuster elements of this invention.
- anterior and posterior arms 132 - 134 are each restrained at a substantially 5.55 degree angle (the arrows 220 A-B) over the center defined by the respective anterior and posterior elements 128 and 130 .
- Increasing the inward forces 194 A-B ( FIG. 9A ) at hinges 154 and 164 urges the over-center angles 220 A-B above 5.55 degrees.
- the anterior and posterior tension adjusters are embodied as stop screws 156 and 166 , respectively, abutting the lower ends of the anterior and posterior elements 128 and 130 to limit travel and control the tensions imposed to stabilize frame 102 ( FIG. 1 ).
- Frame tension is adjusted by screwing in stop screws 156 and 166 until contacting anterior and posterior elements 128 and 130 respectively, with frame bridge offset hinge 144 ( FIG. 9A ) unlatched.
- Stop screws 156 and 166 are each then turned inward by about 3 ⁇ 4 turn to impose a tension that urges a reduction in the respective over-center angle 220 A-B to less than the nominal 5.55 degrees.
- a thread locking agent (Loctite® 290 or equivalent) may be applied to stop screws 156 and 166 .
- This frame pre-tensioning feature of the walker apparatus of this invention also allow a wider tolerance for component length variation, which reduces fabrication costs.
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Abstract
Description
Claims (20)
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2018
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20180360686A1 (en) | 2018-12-20 |
US20200206068A1 (en) | 2020-07-02 |
US9585807B2 (en) | 2017-03-07 |
US10828226B2 (en) | 2020-11-10 |
US10588815B2 (en) | 2020-03-17 |
US20170319424A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 |
US20180280226A9 (en) | 2018-10-04 |
US20190254918A1 (en) | 2019-08-22 |
US20160331626A1 (en) | 2016-11-17 |
US10085909B2 (en) | 2018-10-02 |
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